StoryQuest
A multisensory storytelling tool designed to empower blind children through touch, sound, and spatial exploration.
Presented by Bartlomiej Kopec & Ajani McIntosh
Combines tactile puzzle assembly, directional borders, Braille, and guided narration.
The Challenge & The Solution
The Problem
Blind children often struggle to navigate traditional story materials because tactile cues, textures, and Braille are unclear or inconsistent. Traditional storybooks lack navigation support, and children become confused without audio orientation.
Who We Designed For
Primary: Blind and visually impaired children who need clear, dependable tactile guidance to explore stories independently.
Secondary: Educators, parents, and specialists who need an inclusive, multisensory tool to help children build confidence.
What The Product Does
- Guides through a fully multisensory experience.
- Uses tactile pathways, Braille, and audio.
- Includes puzzle pieces matching story chapters.
- Enables independent understanding from start to end.
Research Insights
Testing showed that blind children struggled with unclear tactile paths, weak textures, and inconsistent Braille, making independent navigation difficult.
After improvements, children responded positively to clearer textures, aligned Braille, raised borders, and audio prompts. Overall, the research revealed that blind users need a consistent, multisensory system that combines touch, sound, and orientation cues to confidently understand and follow the story.
Says
- "Am I in the right place?"
- "I need clearer guidance."
- "Textures should match the story."
- "Audio keeps me oriented."
Thinks
- "I can't tell where to go next."
- "These textures feel the same."
- "Where is the next piece?"
- "I want to do it myself."
Does
- Curious during exploration
- Frustrated by unclear cues
- Confident with audio
- Excited when completing
Feels
- Feels paths with both hands
- Searches for Braille labels
- Listens for audio cues
- Matches pieces by texture
Narrative Breakdown
Pinokio and the Superhero Boxer's Suit
The Dream in the Garage
Pinokio creates his first hero gear: the Boots of Thunder from a rubber tire.
The Shorts of Speed
He makes light, fast shorts using leftover fabric and duct tape.
The Iron Chest
Pinokio hammers metal into a bolt-marked chest plate for protection.
Bare-Armed Bold
He chooses uncovered arms to move quickly and punch sharply.
The Gloves of Power
He carves two soft foam gloves to train safely and strike boldly.
The Helmet of Focus
He builds a foam-padded helmet with a smooth visor to help him concentrate.
The First Rescue
Pinokio stops a runaway fruit cart—his first act of real heroism.
Overall Layout Strategy
- Textures match story progression: rubber → fabric → metal → wood → foam → visor → carved wood
- Audio narration reinforces story identity and guides actions
- Directional cues + raised borders keep the user on the narrative path
- Braille labels provide chapter markers and literacy support
- Jigsaw connectors ensure piece-to-piece logical assembly
Iterative Prototyping
Test A: First Round
- Blind users responded well to improved textures that reinforced story meaning.
- Braille alignment and tactile borders were clearer and easier to navigate.
- Audio prompts strengthened transitions and reduced cognitive load.
- Testing confirmed the need for ambient audio and stronger orientation cues.
Test B: Refinement
Accessibility guided every decision:
- Raised directional borders support non-visual movement.
- Braille markers enable autonomous literacy.
- Embedded chapter buttons give independence and choice.
- Audio narration turns the board into a rich story experience.
Final High-Fidelity Prototype Features
Ambient Audio
Feedback and greetings guide the user.
Tactile Borders
Directional guidance across the board.
Braille Labels
Clear chapter identifiers for literacy.
Interlocking Pieces
Textures aligned with story scenes.
Impact & Outcomes
Accessibility Significantly Improved
Enhanced tactile borders, high-contrast textures, and properly aligned Braille make the board fully navigable by touch, giving blind children the ability to explore the story without assistance.
Deeper Engagement & Understanding
Layered audio narration, ambient soundscapes, and tactile symbols help children form strong mental maps of each chapter. This reduces cognitive load and makes the story easier to follow.
Stronger Emotional Connection
Children move from curiosity to excitement as they explore, trace, and assemble the story's elements. The blend of sound and touch creates a meaningful emotional bond.
The Final Experience Story
StoryQuest delivers a fully accessible, multisensory storytelling journey for blind children. A friendly audio greeting guides the child to the first tactile marker, beginning a structured flow of exploration. Raised borders, Braille labels, and distinct textures lead them through each chapter, while narration and ambient sounds build the world in their imagination. As they progress, the child matches tactile puzzle pieces to the story, receiving clear audio feedback with each successful placement. The experience ends with a soft celebratory soundscape and a completed tactile character, helping the child feel independence, comprehension, and joy through touch and sound.
Next Steps
- Add more stories & sets
- Improve electronics durability
- Explore classroom use